A PLANNING inspector’s decision to allow a waste transfer and recycling plant in Buckley to continue operating indefinitely has sent shock waves through the community.

There has been strong opposition to WPR UK Ltd’s activities on a site off Globe Way on Spencer’s Industrial Estate, in Buckley.

When the company’s application to continue the operation beyond a set deadline of October, 2008, was rejected by Flintshire Planning Committee, it appealed to the Welsh Assembly.

Planning inspector Emyr Jones granted the company permission to carry on operating on the site indefinitely.

Buckley councillor Dennis Hutchinson said he was stunned by the decision: “I’m extremely disappointed. People will feel let down as it flies in the face of democracy. There were very good reasons for turning it down.